Referral criteria for Islet Transplantation

Written by Jyothis George on 27 February 2012. Modified on 13 March 2012. Hits: 22070

As you may know, the UK is very fortunate to have the world’s first government-funded islet transplant service dedicated to patients with type 1 diabetes and recurrent severe hypoglycaemia. Here is a summary of who to refer and how to refer.

Since the year 2000, 54 islet transplants have been performed on 34 patients in the UK; and of these, 34 transplants have been performed over the past three years. An audit of islet transplant recipients from our seven UK centres (April 2008 - April 2011) showed that 96% of all transplants were functioning at one month, and this has been maintained long-term in the vast majority (>18 months follow-up so far). Severe hypoglycaemia was reduced by >95%; HbA1c was reduced from 66 mmol/mol (8.2%) to 51 mmol/mol (6.8%) and overall insulin requirement was halved. In addition, significant numbers of patients are becoming insulin-independent. Therefore, it is clear that for the majority of patients, the UK clinical islet transplant programme has attained its goals of preventing recurrent severe hypoglycaemia, improving glycaemic control and maintaining satisfactory graft function.

Referral criteria

The following patients with type 1 diabetes might be suitable: Those with:

Two or more episodes of severe hypoglycaemia (requiring other people to help) within last 2 years

Impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia

Severe hypoglycaemia/impaired awareness who have a functioning kidney transplant

Ideally we like patients to have had a prior trial of insulin pump therapy, and we can arrange this if necessary. However, we are happy to assess any patient who is unsuitable, or has strong views against a trial of pump therapy.

The following patients are probably not suitable:

These criteria are somewhat flexible; we always assess the overall risks and benefits for individual patients. If you are unsure whether your patient might be suitable then please contact the clinical lead at one of the UK Islet Transplant Consortium centres (below). We will be very pleased to discuss any potential patient.

Where to refer

There are six islet cell transplant centres in England and one in Scotland: